I make art in the hopes of discovering more about myself and who I am not merely just as an artist, but as a person in general. By observing the world around me, especially the older parts of the world, I hope to learn things that help me better understand my surroundings and myself.
In terms of photographic subjects, I’m attracted to aged objects and places. Their chaotic nature speaks to my artistic sensibilities and present many opportunities for interesting compositions. These decayed and aged objects possess unique textures and colors that differ substantially from those of new manufactured items. Years of neglect and exposure to the elements has given these objects a different feel in addition to stripping them of their original meaning.
These old, usually forgotten subjects are stained by humanity but remain largely forgotten and are taken over by nature. The place that specifically holds my interest is the Thistle Mill Paper Factory in Ilchester, Maryland. The history of the mill and the failure of the surrounding town in the 1800’s originally peaked my interest in the area. I find beauty in the diminutive details and the remnants of what this industrial subject once was.
The chipping paint, rusted metal, burnt and rotted wood, and the shattered glass of the paper factory catch my formal interests in texture and patterning, which is a major aspect of my photography. In addition to my formal and compositional attraction to this place, I hope to use this subject to learn about the people who created it and interacted with it on a daily basis. In turn, whatever information I can learn about them might tell me something more about my identity. This is a difficult endeavor, so the least I hope to gain from my explorations and observations is a new perspective on seeing the world around me.